Policies Applying to Graduate Certificates
The Graduate Certificate at the University of Central Missouri provides additional study beyond the baccalaureate level.
General Policies and Requirements - To receive a graduate certificate, a student must earn a minimum of nine semester hours of graduate credit.
Graduate Certificate and Master’s Degrees - A student pursuing a graduate certificate may seek admission to a degree program simultaneously or at a later date. In order to be admitted to a master’s degree program, the student must file an application for admission to Graduate Studies and pay the required application fee for a master’s degree. This fee will be in addition to the application fee required for a graduate certificate program. Completion of a graduate certificate does not guarantee admission into a graduate degree program.
A student pursuing a graduate degree program may seek to complete a graduate certificate concurrently or at a later date if the graduate degree and certificate were available in the student’s initial academic catalog. Coursework satisfactorily completed as part of the degree may be used to satisfy the requirements for the certificate. Coursework satisfactorily completed as part of a certificate may also be used to satisfy requirements for future degrees as long as taken within an 8-year period before degree conferral. The student must also meet all graduate certificate completion requirements.
Transfer Credit - Upon approval by the school, a student may transfer a maximum of 50 percent of the required hours of graduate credit from another institution to a graduate certificate program. See the “Academic Policies” section of this catalog for details on the requirements and procedures for transfer credit.
International Students - Federal regulations require international students to be in a degree program. Admission into a graduate certificate program does not meet student visa requirements and students will not be issued an I-20 for certificate programs alone. However, international students may enroll in a degree program and a certificate program concurrently.
Financial Assistance - Students in certificate programs are not eligible for graduate assistantships and/or scholarships unless they are also accepted into a degree program. Students are not generally eligible for federal financial aid for a certificate program. Eligibility for federal financial aid is determined by the Student Financial Services office.
To complete the requirements for a graduate certificate, a student must:
- Submit an admissions application for a graduate certificate to the Graduate and International Student Services office and pay the required admissions application fee.
- Satisfactorily complete all courses for the specified graduate certificate as outlined in this catalog.
- Earn a cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.00 or higher on all graduate work completed at UCM and earn a 3.00 grade point average in the coursework required of the graduate certificate.
- Complete all U grades.
- Satisfy all school requirements and adhere to all graduate related policies.
- Apply for graduation in MyCentral the semester before intending to complete the certificate requirements. Students earning only a certificate (and not a graduate degree) do not participate in the commencement ceremony.
Policies Applying to Master’s Degrees
The Master’s degree at the University of Central Missouri provides for additional study beyond the baccalaureate level.
General Policies and Requirements - To receive a Master’s degree a student must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate credit applicable in an approved program. At least 15 credit hours of the approved program must have been at the 5000/6000 level. If the degree program is more than 30 credit hours, at least fifty-percent of the credit hours must be at the 5000/6000 level.
Transfer Credit - Upon approval, a student may transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit from another institution to a UCM master’s degree program. To be approved, the course(s) must be applicable toward a graduate degree at the transfer institution that awarded the credit. See the “Academic Policies” section of this catalog for details on the requirements and procedures for transfer credit.
Individualized Study Limitations - Not more than one-half of the credit on an approved Master’s degree program may be individualized study. A student is limited to six hours of credit in internship on a Master’s degree program. A student is limited to a maximum of six semester hours of credit in thesis or in an individual research project on a master’s degree program.
Two Master’s Degrees - A student may earn more than one Master’s degree at UCM either simultaneously or subsequently. Up to six hours of graduate credit may overlap with program coordinator’s consent. No research paper or thesis from the first degree can be used toward the second. A second master’s degree must fulfill all degree requirements. In the instance where additional required courses (beyond the 6 allowed to overlap) in the second program were included in the first program, the program coordinator of the second program will determine appropriate substitute course work.
Students may also concurrently pursue two different options under one degree program. Students may not earn a second option under the same degree after the degree has been awarded.
Master’s Degrees and Graduate Certificates - A student pursuing a graduate degree program may seek to complete a graduate certificate concurrently or at a later date if the graduate degree and certificate were available in the student’s initial academic catalog. Coursework satisfactorily completed as part of the degree may be used to satisfy the requirements for the certificate. Coursework satisfactorily completed as part of a certificate may also be used to satisfy requirements for future degrees as long as taken within an 8-year period before degree conferral. The student must also meet all graduate certificate completion requirements.
Policies Applying to Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s degree programs at the University of Central Missouri provide well-prepared advanced students the opportunity to accelerate the earning of two degrees. Students may earn undergraduate credit for completion of the equivalent graduate course.
The program will begin after a student is admitted. Students can enroll in graduate courses only after the junior year (90 earned hours).
A minimum of 30 graduate credit hours must be earned to complete the master’s degree while the undergraduate program will require a minimum of 120 credit hours of both undergraduate and graduate courses.
Depending on the program, up to 12 hours of graduate coursework may be taken during the senior year and counted to meet both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree requirements. Students complete the remaining graduate coursework in the fifth year. Students may not enroll in additional graduate courses until the undergraduate degree is completed.
Students can take a maximum of 6 hours of graduate credit per semester during the senior year, and 3 hours over the summer if available, with no more than 16 total credit hours of both undergraduate and graduate coursework in a single semester.
Upon completion of the undergraduate portion, the student will then be classified as a graduate student. Students are awarded a Bachelor’s degree as soon as those degree requirements are completed and are then admitted as candidates for the Master’s degree. Students are awarded the master’s degree when all graduate requirements are completed. If a student withdraws from the university and stops enrolling in coursework following completion of the Bachelor’s degree and later wants to return, they will have to apply to the regular graduate program and no prior coursework may be applied.
Please note: enrollment may affect eligibility for financial aid and scholarships, please contact the Student Financial Services office at 660-543-8266 if you have any questions. For the purposes of financial aid and scholarships, students are considered to be at the undergraduate level until the Bachelor’s degree is awarded. Students will be considered graduate level after the Bachelor’s degree is awarded and the student is only taking graduate level courses. Students are eligible for graduate assistantships after receiving a Bachelor’s degree.
Policies Applying to Education Specialist Degrees
The Education Specialist degree at the University of Central Missouri provides for additional graduate-level study beyond the master’s degree. Education Specialist degree programs are offered in two broad curricular areas: Administration and Human Services. Within these broad areas the programs are flexible, involving discipline specializations. Individual programs must be developed with school approval.
General Policies and Requirements - At least 18 semester hours of the approved program must have been at the 5000/6000 level. If the program is more than 36 semester hours, at least fifty-percent of the semester credit hours must have been at the 5000/6000 level. A minimum of six of these hours must be at the 6000 level.
Transfer Credit - Upon approval, a student may transfer a maximum of six hours of graduate credits from another regionally accredited institution to a UCM Education Specialist degree program. See the “Academic Policies” section of this catalog for details on the requirements and procedures for transfer credit.
Prior Courses - A student pursuing a Master’s degree may enroll in graduate courses that are not part of the approved Master’s degree program and which could, at a later time, be presented for use towards an Education Specialist degree program providing (1) that the student has applied for and been accepted into an Education Specialist degree program contingent upon the completion of a master’s degree (2) that such courses were taken while the student was completing the last 12 hours of the master’s degree program and (3) courses must be within 8 year eligibility.
A student may earn more than one Education Specialist degree at UCM. A second Education Specialist degree must include all courses specifically required for that degree. Courses used in the Education Specialist degree may not have been used in completion of a previous Master’s or Education Specialist degree. An approved program must include a minimum of 18 semester hours of 5000/6000 level. If the program is more than 36 semester hours, at least fifty-percent of the semester credit hours must have been at the 5000/6000 level.
Individualized Study Limitation - No more than 18 semester hours on an approved Education Specialist degree program may be individualized study. A student is limited to six credit hours of internship on an Education Specialist degree program. A student is limited to a maximum of six credit hours of thesis or individual research project on an Education Specialist degree program.
Graduate Program Advisory Committee - When a student is accepted into a program, the graduate coordinator will appoint a faculty member as chairperson of the student’s graduate program committee and two additional graduate faculty members to serve on the student’s advisory committee. The student shall seek the advice of the program advisor about enrollment, program planning (including any changes), qualifying examinations, using the Central Degree Audit, research studies and/or thesis, comprehensive examinations, and eligibility for graduation. In all situations, the advisor shall work closely with other members of the advisory committee.
Two Education Specialist Degrees - A student may earn more than one Education Specialist degree at UCM either simultaneously or subsequently. Up to six hours of graduate credit may overlap with program coordinator’s consent. No research paper or thesis from the first degree can be used toward the second. A second Education Specialist degree must fulfill all degree requirements. In the instance where additional required courses (beyond the 6 allowed to overlap) in the second program were included in the first program, the program coordinator of the second program will determine appropriate substitute course work. An approved program must include a minimum of six hours at the 6000 level.
Students may also concurrently pursue two different options under one degree program. Students may not earn a second option under the same degree after a degree has been awarded.
Cooperative Doctoral Degrees
UCM participates in two cooperative doctoral programs, one leading to an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and the other a Ph.D. in Technology Management. These degrees are not conferred by UCM, but students are invited to participate in UCM’s commencement ceremony. In accordance with federal rules, any federal financial aid a doctoral student may be eligible to receive is processed and disbursed by the school (i.e., University of Missouri or Indiana State University) from which the doctoral degree will be granted.
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Students may pursue a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership, conferred by the University of Missouri. The program uses a cohort format that requires the student to complete required coursework in two years (six consecutive semesters, beginning in the summer). A dissertation follows the coursework. Students are accepted into the cohort group every two years by meeting entrance requirements which include a master’s degree, a substantiated goal of Educational Leadership, GRE scores, undergraduate and graduate GPAs, evaluation of a writing assessment and a personal interview. The curriculum includes the following broad themes:
- Organizational Analysis
- Leadership Theory and Practice
- Analyzing Educational Policy
- Content and Context for Learning
- Research and Inquiry and Evaluation
Study commences in the summer for four weeks on the University of Missouri Columbia campus. During the Fall and Spring semesters online courses are taught by University of Missouri faculty and on-campus classes are taught at the Warrensburg campus and at UCM’s Summit Center by UCM faculty. After the sixth semester of coursework, students complete both written and oral comprehensive exams and then enter the dissertation stage of the degree. For more information contact the School of Professional Education and Leadership, Lovinger 4101 or call 660-543-4341.
Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management - UCM is a charter member of a five-university consortium offering a Ph.D. in Technology Management, which is conferred by Indiana State University. This degree takes advantage of distance education technology with courses available via online, telecommunication, and other media. Selected courses are also available on the respective campuses.
The doctoral program is designed to provide students with opportunities to increase their depth and breadth of knowledge in technological studies. Students must complete a minimum of 57-60 semester hours of graduate study beyond the Master’s degree, with a majority of the coursework at the 6000-level or higher.
The program includes 24-30 credit hours in an area of technical specialization. Admission is through Indiana State University. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required.
For more information, contact the School of Technology, call 660-543-4438 or email Dr. Sue Rodchua at rodchua@ucmo.edu or visit www.indstate.edu/technology/consortphd.
Teacher Certification
UCM, accredited by (CAEP) the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation, offers both courses and programs at the graduate-level that meet the requirements for certain teaching certificates issued by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. All students seeking teacher certification should check specific program requirements listed in this catalog and with their graduate program advisor.
Authority has been granted to the university by the State Board of Education in Missouri to recommend students for certification who are qualified to teach or serve as administrators in the public schools of Missouri as well as in other states. Any student seeking initial certification or additional certification as a result of completing graduate courses or a graduate degree should contact the Office of Clinical Services and Certification, University of Central Missouri in Lovinger 2170, Warrensburg, MO 64093 or at 660-543-8441 or certification@ucmo.edu.
NOTE: Individuals enrolling in coursework to complete specific DESE certification requirements who are not also in a degree program, must successfully complete 12 credit hours at UCM to be eligible to receive an institutional recommendation. The specific courses will be determined by program faculty in conjunction with UCM’s Certification Officer.
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